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The White House has confirmed that President Biden held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss progress on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
In a statement, President Biden said, “Earlier, I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to finalize a deal that would result in a ceasefire together with the release of hostages – a deal that I have outlined and is endorsed by the UN Security Council, the G7, and countries around the world.”
What’s going on:
A senior administration official, speaking anonymously, indicated that Hamas has shown a willingness to move closer to a multi-phase ceasefire agreement. This deal envisions a phased end of hostilities, the release of hostages, and the start of rebuilding efforts in the conflict-ridden territory. Biden had earlier proposed a three-part plan in May to end the violence and secure the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 attack.
Despite progress, the senior official cautioned that several implementation issues remain unresolved, indicating that a final deal might not be imminent. The official also expressed optimism about the potential for a significant breakthrough, given the significant differences in negotiations. This progress follows months of stalled talks, with the Biden administration urging regional powers like Egypt and Qatar to pressure Hamas into compliance while advocating for Israel to advance towards a resolution.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Hamas’s initial attack led to the abduction of around 250 hostages and the death of approximately 1,200 people. In response, Israeli military operations have led to the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, including women and children, sparking international outrage and protests, mainly on US college campuses.
This comes after the United Nations Security Council had previously passed a US-sponsored resolution calling for an immediate, temporary ceasefire. The Biden administration has maintained its support for Israel, providing substantial military aid despite internal calls from some Democrats for a tougher stance on Netanyahu’s actions.
